Marvel Vs. Capcom: Infinite Story Demo Review (Spoiler-Free)

Marvel Vs. Capcom, To Infinity!

Marvel VS Capcom Infinite!, Capcom’s next mega-crossover fighting game, is about to land, and it’s about time! With a surge of excellent fighting games coming out these past few weeks such as Injustice 2, and Tekken 7, Capcom isn’t far behind with Marvel VS. Capcom Infinite.

With a release date of September 19 of this year, it can’t come soon enough. For those of you who can’t wait that long, a demo is out now for the PS4 and Xbox One. It’s a bit unfortunate, though, that the demo only shows off the game’s Story Mode. We won’t have any idea how online mode plays out until the game’s release. Unless Capcom decides to put out another open demo to test the online waters, that is.

Story Mode Shows A Lot Of Promise

The Story Mode demo starts off with a cutscene set in a splicing of Megaman’s ruined city and Asgard, aptly named “XGARD.” It shows Captain America, Megaman X (or “X,” as he’s now called), and Stryder Hiryu dealing with a lot of what looks to be Ultron’s drones. It then cuts to the usual fighting game screen where players can control both Cap and X. What follows is a very, very simplistic tutorial. Press “square” to attack, buttons correspond to limbs, check the guide for more. That’s it. I guess Capcom was expecting only the seasoned Marvel VS Capcom players to give this demo a try.

The controls are as crisp as one can expect a Capcom fighting game to be. All the usual super combos, air juggles, forward and back dashes, high jumps, and advancing guards are still nostalgically present in this iteration. The only thing I noticed missing is the team switch during air combos as seen in the previous Ultimate Marvel VS Capcom 3. Plus, I’m not sure if it’s only the Story Mode, but you can only play as two characters at a time for now. Where’s the 3 v 3 love?

So What’s New?

For the most part, everything seems familiar. Why fix something that isn’t broken? (I’m looking at you, Street Fighter V and your lack of Arcade Mode still.) A new addition to Marvel VS Capcom Infinite, though, are the Infinity Stones. There is now a dedicated button to use an Infinity Stone in your possession. Depending on which one you currently hold, it can either give you more speed or more power. When Ultron Sigma decides to use one on you, you get trapped in a cool-looking blue glass box. Space Stone FTW!

There is also the addition of a new meter bar. It tells you when you can unleash your Stone’s ultimate power until the timer runs out. An interesting concept, but only time will tell how effective it is in tipping the scales in your favor. The computer opponents are just too weak for you to be able to test anything out properly.

Marvel Vs. Capcom: Infinite (image copyright by Capcom/Marvel Comics)

Back To The Story Mode

The part of the story they showed here so far is very interesting. After the first part with Cap and X, the game then shifts to Captain Marvel (hell-o) and Chun-Li dealing with, yes, more Ultron Drones. It then cuts to the fighting segment where you can use the two to beat the crap out of the drones in real-time.

Story mode is basically that. Cutscenes introducing new characters, fight, another cutscene, more Ultron Drones, intro another character, fight using that character, and so on, and so forth.

Thankfully, the cutscenes are well made, and the story is intriguing. The roster is where Marvel VS Capcom Infinite shines. In this Story Mode demo alone, you’ll be able to see and use for the most part the likes of Captain America, X, Stryder, Chun-Li, Captain Marvel, Dr. Strange, Thor, Sir Arthur, Iron Man, Dante, Hawkeye, Rocket Raccoon, Chris Redfield, and Spencer from Bionic Commando fame.

An Infinite Surprise

A highlight from this Story Mode would definitely be one surprise cameo that I was hopeful I’d see. I was genuinely surprised that they showed him here. Now, I’m sure the internet has probably spoiled this for everyone already, but I still say go see it for yourselves. Unfortunately, his screen time is a blink and you miss it kinda thing, but it still hyped me up something good.

The Story Mode demo ends with an unbeatable (surprise, surprise) fight with Ultron Sigma (at least unbeatable for me.) After the final cutscene in the demo, it then takes you to a (yuck) preorder page with DAY ONE DLC’S flashing in your face. Really, Capcom? Ugh, disappointed yet again.

Marvel vs Capcom – To Infinity, Or Not To Infinity?

Overall, the demo drummed-up some hype, which is what demos are supposed to do, aside from testing server loads, and generally checking player interest. The graphics are as gorgeous as ever, thanks to Unreal Engine! The sound and music are as crisp as ever, and the gameplay is still solid. Needless to say, I’ll be getting it on day one.

Preordering? Nah. (Never support preorder culture, people.) If I have to give it a numeric rating, (for everyone who skips past walls of text to find a golden number, like me!) I’d give it an 8/10. I will update my review once the game comes out and we have a better sense of where the game lies along with all the other superb fighting games out now. As for now, I’m gonna GET READY FOR THE NEXT BATTLE.

Have you downloaded and played the Marvel VS Capcom Infinite story demo yet? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below!